Tribunal Dismisses Election Petitions against Obiano

The Anambra Governorship Election Tribunal has dismissed two of the three petitions against the victory of Gov. Willie Obiano in the November 18, 2017 election in the state.

ThetribunalaffirmedObiano’s victoryintwoseparateunanimous judgments delivered by its chairman, Justice H.A. Olusiyi, accordingtoreports. JusticeA.O. Ayoola and Justice Birnin Kudu were member 1 and Member II respectively of the tribunal.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC)werefirstand secondrespondentsrespectivelyin thematters,aNANreportstated.

Dr. Chukwudi Obianaso and Ms Praise Okechukwu, candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Mega Progressive People Party (MPPP) in thesameelectionhadprayed the tribunal to invalidate the victory.

Obianaso in his petition said theelectionshouldbenullifiedbecauseitwasmarredwithcorrupt practices perpetrated by Obiano andhisagentsinconnivancewith INEC.

“INECshould conduct afresh election and Obiano be disqualifiedtocontestinthefreshelection,” he said.

In her petition, the MPPP candidate said Obiano was not duly elected or returned by the majority of lawful votes cast and that the exercise did not comply substantiallywiththeElectoralAct.

“Obiano did not score the majority of valid votes cast in at least two-third of the 21 council areas in Anambra in the election; thus his return by the third respondent is unconstitutional, irregular, null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” she said.

The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgments made available to NAN weekend by the Tribunal said Okechukwu couldnotsubstantiateherclaimsof electoralmalpracticewithcredible evidence.

Itsaidthoseallegedlyinvolved in vote-buying and polling units wheretheallegedcorruptpractices took place were not mentioned, andthatonlyonewitnesswasnot enough to testify on the claims.

“Thepetitionershavewoefully failed to prove by any credible evidencethatthefirstrespondent was not duly elected or returned as governor of Anambra by the majority of lawful votes cast.

“Thepetitionershaveabysmally failedtoprovewithanymodicum of satisfaction that the election in question was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and noncompliance with provisions of Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

“On the whole, the petition failedasitpatentlylackssubstance and merit, it is accordingly dismissedinitsentirety,consequently weaffirmasvalidtheelectionand return of the first respondent as governor of Anambra,” it ruled.